When academic certificate documents (e.g., graduation certificates, degree certificates, transcripts, etc.) are used internationally, they usually need to be certified by the Apostille to ensure that the documents are legal and valid in the Hague Convention member states. The following is the general procedure for the Apostille certification of academic documents:

1. Obtain the original or official copy of the academic document

First, make sure you have the original copy of the academic certificate or a formal copy issued by the relevant educational institution (if multiple copies are required, it is recommended to apply for an additional copy). Some countries may require a certified copy, not the original.

2. Pre-authentication (if required)

Some countries mandate the following steps before applying for Apostille:

-School Certification: Some countries require documents to be stamped by the school or officially certified first.

-Education Department Certification: Some countries need to submit to the education department first (such as the China Ministry of Education Degree and Graduate Education Development Center, the United States State Education Department).

-Notarization (if required): Some countries like the U.S., Canada, and Australia may require the document to be notarized by a qualified notary public.

3. Submit to the Apostille authority

Depending on the country, Apostille certification is administered by different government authorities:

-China: Apostille certification is issued by the local foreign affairs offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in provinces and municipalities directly under the Central Government.

-United States: Apostille certification is handled by the Secretary of State’s Office at the state level.

-UK: Apostille certification is administered by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

-France: Apostille certification is processed by the Bureau des legalisations within the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in each province.

-Germany: Apostille certification is handled by the Federal Foreign Affairs Bureau(Bundesamt für auswärtige Angelegenheiten).

Contact information of China Local Foreign Affairs Office.

4. Receive certificatated documents

After the Apostille is completed, you can receive an Apostille sealed academic certificate. This document can be used directly in other Hague member states without additional certification.

5. Translation (if required)

If the target country requires a birth certificate in a specific language (e.g., Chinese in China, French in France), an official translation may be needed, with a translation certification attached. Notarized translation is typically arranged in the home country, while certified translation or sworn translation may be required overseas.

Other precautions

● Non-Hague Convention States: If neither the target country nor the document-issuing country is a member of the Hague Convention, consular certification (not Apostille) is required.

Processing time: Processing times vary by country, typically ranging from several days to weeks. It is advisable to apply in advance and confirm the timeline with the relevant authority.

Please contact us for details.